"Together we thrive," Giffords says on 15th anniversary of shooting

• She encouraged readers to honor the victims "by focusing on their enduring legacies, and by recognizing the Arizonans who make our state such a special place to call home."

Zoom in: Giffords cited a few examples of Arizonans who went above and beyond to help others:

• Jasmin Ceballos, who organized a community pantry in her front yard in Tucson to help those who were cut off from nutritional assistance during last fall's federal government shutdown.
• Free Arts, a Phoenix organization that uses art to support children and teens who have experienced abuse and violence.
• Volunteers organized by Chandler South Stake Church of Latter-day Saints helped remove mud and debris after devastating flooding in Globe last year so that the Central Arizona Council on Developmental Disabilities could reopen.

What she's saying: "That's what 'Together We Thrive' always meant to me. Not a one-time memorial event or an empty slogan that surfaces after a moment of crisis, but a way of life for every ordinary day. I'm grateful Arizonans give meaning to the phrase by showing kindness and caring toward others. Let's keep it up," Giffords wrote.